Shaft connecting mechanism



Aug. 13, 1935. I 0. K. HASELAU 2,011,147

SHAFT CONNECTING MECHANISM Original Filed April 18. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNV OR 0ZZOK @swZaa. a id, 6 916 7% ATTORNEY-5 Aug. 13, 1935. 0. K. HASELAU 2,011,147

SHAFT CONNECTING MECHANISM Original Filed April 18, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Y B 61 M qr-M ATTORNEYS Patented Augie, 1935 P NT snarr" conivnormc MECHANISM ott K. Haselau, New York, N; Y. A lication April is, 1929, Sel'iaLNa. 356,001

Renewed January 8 l9 5 7 Claims. (01. 64-41) i My invention relates to apparatus for connect tion.

ing shafts disposed in spaoedkand-to-end rela- My invention relates to adevice or apparatus embodying orcomprising a plurality of member's movably or slidablyrelatedto each other My invention relates to adevice or apparatus utilizable for connecting ends of spaced shafts, said device or apparatus comprising parts so related as toefliciently deliver power from one shaft to another while diminishing or largely decreas ingwear on the shaft hearings or a shearing or twisting effect on the shafts.

Further o-bg'ects, advantages, and characteristics of my invention will appear-from the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example only one form of 'my apparatus, device or coupling mechanism. is My invention resides in the apparatus, device, and features of construction ofzthe character hereinafter described and claimed For an illustration of one of the forms my apparatus, mechanism or device may take and for an illustration of typical shaft installations, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which: j V Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a coupling device, apparatus or mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention; T

Fig.- 2 is a perspective exploded view of a coupling device, apparatus or mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View,

partly in elevation, and is taken on the line 3-4 tien comprising shafts disposed in-end-to-end relation and connected by, my coupling device, apparatus or mechanism, the respective shaft axes being displaced as hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, S and SI are retatable members or shafts disposed in end-to-end relation and spaced one from the other. In ac:- cordance with my invention, a novel device, mechanism or structure is utilized or provided for one shaft'to the other. Q y ,r To this end, shafts S and S l carry, respectively, the members A and A! which should be duplicates transferring or transmitting the rotary motion of, l

ofeach other except in a detailed manner, as

hereinafter described. shown, member A is carriedby shaft Stand member A! by shafts I v :Each of the membersA ancl At comprises a hub section I merging intoan enlargedisection 2 having a convex faceor surface 3 defining the surface of a partof a sphere, Erfil' i tlng from each convex surfacer'l of the-members A and Al area pluralityof members or ribs 4 defining, with said surface 3, spaces or, channels 5. i 1

I Coasting with each .of -the, members Aand Al are the respective members Band Bl whichshould be duplicates of each other, One face or surface 6 of each member B and Blyshould beconvex fer snug engagement with the concave face 1 orsur face 3 of a member A-or'Al asthe case maybe Thesurface l, oppositethe aforesaid surface 6, ofeach member B and Bi: should be plane.

Projecting fromeach'convexsurface 6 of-the members;v B and {BI ,are a p'luralityof members or ribs 8 defining,- with said surface spaces or channelsfi, .Projecting fronieachplane surface 1 of the members BandB! are ga plurality of members orrribs 49 defining, with said surface 7, spaces orchannels H. As illustrated, theribs 8 and channels 9 are disposed substantially at right angles with respect to the ribs 1 0 and channels I I.

Coacting with thejmembers Band B! isa single member Chaving plane facesor surfaces; l3

and I3 onoppositesides thereof; 11 Projecting from thejplane surfacelll ofgmember, C area plurality of members or ribs l4" defining, with said surface l2, spaces or channels 15; Projecting from the plane surface iii of; member Carea pluralityof members or ribs 16 defining, with said surface l3, spaces'or channels I15; Asillustratedthe ribs 14 and channels l5 are disposed substantially at right angles wlthrespectto the ribs-l6 and chan: nels ll. "Q 1 w v Ordinarily and preferably, all of the aforesaid ribs and channels should be of the same crosssectional configurations. At any rate, this relation should hold between the ribs 4 and channels 5 of the members'A, Al and the ribs 8 andchannels 9 of members B, Bl the same relation should also hold between the ribs I0 and channels of, membersB, Bl and the ribs I14; IB-and channels [5, ll of member C. l 1 i As illustrated particularly-in Fig. 1, each of the shafts S and SI comprises one or more keys or lugs l8 coactingwith the respective members A and Al to prevent rotation thereof with respect to their respective shafts. Member A, for example, is restrained in any suitable manner, as by a screw l9, from moving longitudinally of its shaft S; member Al, however, ordinarily is not thus restrained from longitudinal movement with respect to its shaft SI. On the other hand, member Al, usually, is suitably biased from right to left,'Fig. 1. To this end, any suitable arrange ment may be utilized such, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 1 where a plurality of helical springs 20 are shown as interposed between the member Al and a collar 2! suitably fixed to the shaft SI, as by a screw 22.

The various parts, in their assembled relation, are well illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein the shafts S and S! are received by the openings provided therefor in the respective members A and Al.

The ribs 4 of the member A are received by the respective channels 9 of member B while the ribs 8 of the latter are received by the respective channels 5 of said member A.

The ribs ll! of the member B are received by the respective channels l5 of member C while the ribs I4 of the latter are received by the respective channels ll of said member B. 7

The ribs l6 of the member C are received by the respective channels H of member Bl while the ribs l I] of the latter are received by the respective channels ll of said member C.

The ribs 8 of the member Bl are received by the respective channels 5 of member Al while the ribs 4 of the latter are received by the respective channels 9 of said member Bl.

Since the ribs I4 on one side of the member C are disposed at right angles with respect to the ribs l6 on the other side thereof, it results that the members B and Bl, when positioned as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, are so disposed that the ribs 8 of member B are horizontal'while he ribs 8 of member Bl are vertical. Accordingly, the member B is movable in a horizontal direction with respect to member A while, for the same position of the parts, member Bl 'is movable in a vertical direction with respect to member Al.

When the axes of the shafts Sand Si are in alinement and stationary, one position of the various members A, B, C, Bl and Al is as illustrated in Fig. 1 and by and through them, rotary motion is transmitted from one shaft to the other.

Under some circumstances, it may happen for some reason or another, that the bearing members 'M, Ml for the respective shafts S and SI cause the axes of the latter to be out of alinement in the sense that extensions of therespective axes meet in angular relation all as indicated in an exaggerated'manner in Fig. 5. When this is the case and in accordance with my'invention, relative movement, during rotation of the shafts S and SI, occurs between the members 'Al' and Bi on the one hand and between the members A and B on the other hand; however, in this case there is little or no relative movement of the members B, C and BI with respect to each other. With the parts positioned as illustrated in Fig. 5, the ribs 4 and channels 5v of member Al' are parallel with the plane of the paper and the ribs 4 and channels 5 of member A are perpendicular to'said plane. At this time, the member BI is at its limit of movement in one direction with respect to the member'Al whereas the members B and A'are symmetrical in the sense that the member B is midway of its path of movement withrespect to the member A. As the shaft structure rotates, the

shafts S and SI of course, retain the angular relation imposed thereon by the bearings and, as a result, member Bl moves with respect to member Al and member B moves with respect to member A. When the shaft structure has moved degrees beyond the position illustrated in Fig. 5, member B! has become symmetrical with respect to member Al in the sense that said member Bl is midway of its path of movement with respect to the member A. At this'time, member B is at its limit of movement in one direction with respect to the member A. In this, the 90 degree position, the ribs 4 and channels 5 of member A are parallel to the plane of the paper and the ribs 4 and channels 5 of member Al are perpendicular to the plane of the paper. When the shaft structure has rotated degrees beyond the position illustrated in Fig. 5, member Bl is at its limit of movement in its other direction with respect to the member Al whereas the members B and A are again symmetrical. When the shaft structure has rotated 2'70 degree beyond the position illustrated in Fig. 5, members Bl and Al are again symmetrical whereas the member B is at its limit of movement in its other direction with respect to the member A. Obviously, in the 360 degree position of the shaft structure, the parts are related as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Thus, in accordance with my invention and with the condition illustrated in Fig. 5, rotative movement is'imparted by one shaft to the other through members that are in surface-to-surface contact, the surfaces being of substantial area and sliding on and with respect to each other to effect the transmission of energy from one shaft to the other without the imposition of unwarranted strain on any of the connecting members. Moreover, and this is highly important, a coupling orconnecting device constructed in accordance with my invention relieves the caring; of unwarranted wearing effects when the shafts are angularly related, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Moreover, with my coupling or connecting device, the shafts, even though angularly related, are relieved of undue" strain or shearing tendencies such-as are imposed by the coupling devices of the prior art.

Where the angular relation of the shafts S and Si -is the sole condition for which pro-vision is to betmade, the Inember'C may be omitted and the members B and BI integrally formed or connected together. However, it seldom happens that the shaft axes are not displaced with respect to each other to some extent at least and, hence, the provision of the member C is desirable, v

Referring to Fig. 6, the shafts S and S! are shown non-angularly related but slightly displaced in a horizontal direction; in other words, the respective shaft are disposed in parallel, non intersecting relation. Under such circumstances, little or 'no relative movement occurs between the members A and B on the one hand and Al and Bl on the other hand; however, there is relative sliding movement of the members B, C and Bi with respect to each other. With the parts positioned as illustrated in Fig. 6, the ribs M and channels l5 of member C are parallel with the plane of the paper and the ribs l8 and channels ll thereof are perpendicular to said plane. As the shaft structure rotates, the shafts S and Si, of course, retain the relation imposed thereon by the bearings. I Under the conditions recited, members B and Bi, in effect, constitute extensions of the respective shafts and rotate concentri'cally therewith. Accordingly, member C moves I with respect to the members BandBl. With the shaft structure in the'position illustrated in' Fig. 6, member C is at its limit of movem'ent in onedirec'ticn with respect to the member Band l is symmetrical-with respect to themember B1 in the sense that it is midway of its path of movement with respect thereto. As the shaft structure rotates from the position illustrated in Fig. 6, member C slides with respect to both of the members B and Bland, when it has moved 90 degrees'beyond the position illustrated in Fig. 5,

said member C has become symmetrical with respect to the member B in the sense that it is midway of its path of movementlwith respect thereto; at this time, member C-has moved to oneend of its of movement with respect to the member Bi. In this, the '39 degree position, the ribs M and channels it are perpendicular to the plane of the paper and the ribs 16 "and channels *l i are parallel to said plane. When'tlieshaft Structure has rotated 181) degrees beyond the"po-, sition illustrated in Fig. 6, memberC is at it's limit of movement in the reverse direction with respect to member B and has again become symmetrical, as aforesaid, with respect to member Big- Again, when the shaft structure has rotated 270 degrees beyond the position illustrated inFig. 6, member C has become symmetrical, as aforesaid, with respect to the member B and is at its limit of movement in the reverse direction ,with respect to member Bl. Obviously, in the B69 degree'position of the-shaft structure, the parts are related as illustrated in Fig. 6. l

Referring to Fig. 7, the shafts S and Si ar shown as non-angularly related but slightly dis placed in a vertical direction. In other words, the respective shaft axes are displaced in the same sense as shown in Fig. 6; that is, they are disposed in parallel, non-intersecting relation. With the arrangement illustrated in Fig. '7, movement of member with respect to the members B and BI occurs in identically the same mannor as described in detail above with respect to Fig. 6, hence the description heretofore given in connection with Fig. 6 will sufiice for a descrip-.-

tion of the operation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 7.

Obviously, the displacement of the shaft axes as illustrated horizontally in Fig; 6 and vertically in Fig. 'l are examples merely of axis displacements which might occur in any plane.

Referring to Fig. 8, there is illustrated in an exaggerated mannerthe condition usually and ordinarily met in practice.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 8 involves the condition illustrated in Fig. when combined, for example, with the condition illustrated in either of Figs. 6 or '7. In other words, in Fig. 8, the shafts S and SI are angularly related and, at the same time their axes are so disposed that extensions of their respective axes do not and cannot meet. Obviously, in the construction illustrated in Fig. '8,

there occurs relative movement of the members B l and BI, with respect to the respective members A and AI; simultaneously, there occurs relative movement of the member C with respect to. the members B and B I The relative movement first named cares for the condition arising because of the angular relation of the shafts while the relative movement last named cares for the condition arising because of the displacement of the shaft axes relative to each other so that extensions thereof are in non-intersecting relation.

As hereinbefore described one of the members A or Al, herein illustrated as thelatter, is slid- -members 13 and Bi are formed of bronze.

ever, if. desired, any other suitable combination.

able onits shaft'and biased toward the other shaft. Due to this condition, the various members A, B, C, B! and AI are maintained closely adjacent and in contact with each other and this relation continues indefinitely despite wear of the l parts, the springs Zll, or equivalent, functioning totake up lost motion;

Where parts or membersare slidably related as are the herein described members A, B, etc., it is desirable that adjacentmernbers be formed of dissimilar metallic materials. Accordingly and in aprefcrred form of my invention, the members A, C and A! are formed of iron or steel, while the Howof metals or other materials maybe employed.

asatisfactory arrangement for oiling or lubricating the bearing or sliding surfaces of mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention, all of members'A, B, etc; may be similarlyperforatedsubstantially as illustrated, the

various perforations being substantially in alinement after the respective members A, B, etc. have been assembled on axially alined shafts. Disposed within the, space thus formed is a suitable washer or ,member 24 of felt, loose fabric, or the like. The member A maybe provided with or comprise, passages 25 communicating with the aforesaid space, the hub section I of member A being cut away to" form alchannel 26 communieating with the respective passages 25. 1

Accordingly, witha structureof the character illustrated, suitable lubricant, as liquid oil may be suitably'introduced into the channel 26, as

from the. spout or nozzle of an oil can during rotation of the shaft structure; Under the influence of centrifugal action, the lubricant travels along the passages 25 and, in the space in' essential parts or members. Furthermore and as described, my coupling device operates equally and with entire satisfaction no matter if the shafts are angularly related or if they are horizontally, vertically or intermediately displaced.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain particular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the, invention and fa ls intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. Shaft coupling mechanism comprising spaced members having convex surfaces, respectively, and disposed in facing'relatiomspaced members each having a concave surface slidably engaging one of said convex surfaces, and a member between and having linear surfaces slidable, respectively, on linear surfaces of said secnd named spaced members, said surfaces comprising alternate ribs and channels, the channels of one surface receiving the ribs of an adjacent surface.

2. Coupling mechanism for shafts disposed in end-to-end relation, said mechanism comprising a plurality of members disposed in side-byside relation and slidable with respect to each other, one pair of said members engaging each other along surfaces arranged in convex-concave relation, another pair of said members being movable with respect to each other in linear relation.

3. Coupling mechanism for shafts disposed in end-to-end relation, said mechanism comprising first and second members slidable with respect to each other along surfaces arranged in convex-concave relation, one of said members being carried by one of said shafts, a third member rotatably secured to the other of said shafts, and a fourth member interposed between and .connecting one of said first named members to said third member, said fourth member being slidable in one direction on said one of said members and at right angles to said one direction on said third member. v

4. In coupling mechanism for shafts disposed in end-to-end relation, means for connecting said shafts for rotation in unison, said means comprising a member having an arcuate surface on which is movable another member partaking of movement with respect to'one of said shafts, said means further comprising anothermember movable along a path defined by a plane disposed substantially at right angles with respect tothe longitudinal axis of one of said shafts, both of said membersbeing movable with respect to both of said shafts, and said members being movable with respect to each other.

5. Shaft coupling mechanism comprising members adapted for engagement, respectively, with shaft ends, and a plurality of relatively slidable members connected directly to each other and intervening between said first named members, one of said slidable members being movable along an arcuate surface formed on one of said members, another of said members being movable along a path defined by a plane disposed transversely of the shafts, and said members being movable with respect to each other.

6. Shaft coupling mechanism comprising members adapted for engagement, respectively, with shaft ends, and a plurality of relatively slidable members connected directly to each other and intervening between said first named members, one of said slidable members being movable along an arcuate' surface formed on one of said members, another of said members being movable along a path defined by a plane disposed substantially at right angles with respect to said first named path, and said members being movable with respect to each other.

'7 Shaft coupling mechanism comprising members adapted for engagement, respectively, with shaft ends, and a plurality of relatively slidable members intervening between said first named members, one of said slidable members being movable along an arcuate surface formed on one of said members, another of said members being movable along a path defined by a plane disposed transversely of the shafts, and said members being movable with respect to each other.

OTTO K. HASELAU. 

